Before hazy IPAs and juicy everything, there was Stone IPA. Brewed in Escondido, California since 1997, it is one of the beers that taught America to love aggressive hop bitterness. It is proudly old-school, all pine and grapefruit and firm bitterness, and it remains a benchmark for the classic West Coast style. I bought a fresh six-pack for this guide to see how the original holds up.
Stone IPA at a glance
| Style | West Coast IPA |
| ABV | 6.9% |
| IBU | Around 71 |
| Calories | Around 200 per 12 fl oz |
| Brewery | Stone Brewing, Escondido, California |
| Hops | Magnum, Centennial and more |
| Best served | Cold, in an IPA glass or pint |
How it tastes, by the numbers
Stone IPA is the classic bitter West Coast profile: piney, dry and firmly bitter.
The full review
It pours a clear gold with a bright white head. The aroma is classic West Coast, pine and grapefruit with a little herbal note, sharp and clean rather than sweet.
The flavour is proudly bitter. There is grapefruit and pine hop character up front, a lean, dry malt base and a firm, lingering bitterness that defines the whole beer. This is not a beer that hides its hops behind sweetness. It is a hop beer, full stop.
That dry, bitter finish is exactly why it works. It stays crisp and refreshing across a glass, and there is no cloying sweetness to tire you out. If you cut your teeth on juicy hazies this might taste stark at first, but it grows on you fast.
It is a piece of American beer history that still tastes good today. In a world of soft, sweet IPAs, the honest bitterness of Stone IPA is genuinely refreshing.
In a world of soft, sweet hazies, the honest pine-and-grapefruit bitterness of Stone IPA is refreshing all over again.
- An original, defining West Coast IPA
- Clean pine and grapefruit hops
- Dry and refreshing
- A piece of craft beer history
- Very bitter for modern palates
- Low on the juicy fruit some drinkers want
Who it is for
If you like your IPAs bitter, dry and old-school, Stone IPA is a classic you need to try. Newcomers weaned on hazies should approach it with an open mind.
Stone IPA FAQs
What does Stone IPA taste like?
Sharp pine and grapefruit hops over a lean, dry malt base with a firm, lingering bitterness. It is the classic bitter West Coast IPA profile.
Is Stone IPA a West Coast IPA?
Yes, and it is one of the originals. Since 1997 it has been a defining example of the clear, dry, aggressively bitter West Coast style, at 6.9% ABV.
Is Stone IPA very bitter?
Yes, at around 71 IBU it is firmly bitter by design. That dry bitterness is the whole point of the beer.
Where to buy Stone IPA
Stone IPA is widely available across the US in cans and bottles. Buy it fresh using the button above.
The verdict
Stone IPA is a classic that still delivers. If you want to taste where the West Coast IPA came from, and enjoy a proudly bitter beer, this is essential drinking.
FAQs
Who makes Stone IPA?
Stone IPA is brewed by Stone Brewing (owned by Sapporo USA since 2022).
What kind of beer is Stone IPA?
Stone IPA is a West Coast IPA, at 6.9% ABV.
How much alcohol is in Stone IPA?
Stone IPA has an ABV of 6.9%.
How many calories are in Stone IPA?
Stone IPA has Around 200 per 12 fl oz, based on the brewery’s published nutrition information.
Is Stone IPA gluten free?
No. Like most traditional beers, Stone IPA is brewed from barley and/or wheat, both of which contain gluten.
How can I make Stone IPA taste better?
Serve it at the right temperature and in the right glass (see below), or use it as the base for a beer cocktail. Our beer cocktails guide has recipes worth trying.
Where is Stone IPA made?
Stone IPA is brewed by Stone Brewing in Escondido, California.
What is a good alternative to Stone IPA?
If you can’t find Stone IPA, Ballast Point Sculpin is a close alternative in the same West Coast IPA category.
How do I open Stone IPA without a bottle opener?
A lighter, a sturdy key, a spoon, or the edge of a table all work in a pinch. See our full guide on opening a beer without a bottle opener for 8 methods that actually work.
What glass should I use for Stone IPA?
Cold, in an IPA glass or pint. See our beer glassware guide if you want to match the glass to the style exactly.
